Seattle Mariners: Aaron Harang Experiment Should Be Over

By Max Gross

Joe Nicholson- USA TODAY Sports

Jack Zduriencik has never been predictable in his stint as Seattle Mariners GM, and his acquisition of RHP Aaron Harang from the Colorado Rockies was not easy to see coming. Harang was a replacement for RHP Blake Beavan, who went through some definite struggles in his two outings and was forced to move to the bullpen as a long-reliever.

I was very happy to see that Beavan was removed from the rotation, but after seeing how poorly Harang has pitched, I would gladly take Beavan back. In his first three starts in a Mariners’ uniform, Harang has been just awful, allowing 16 earned runs in 12 innings, including a whopping six home runs allowed. The 34-year-old veteran has lost all three of his starts, and currently has an ERA of 11.86.

Although he has struggled, manager Eric Wedge doesn’t seemed to concerned about Harang, telling Mariners.com “obviously he needs to do a better job with his fastball. He didn’t quite have the same fastball tonight; he didn’t quite have the same command … He’s a veteran pitcher. He knows how to win at this level, and I’m sure he’ll be better next outing.”

Harang has had to face three very tough lineups early on, going up against the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels in his first three starts. However, as a major league veteran, excuses should not be made for poor performances.

The Mariners don’t really have anyone that could take Harang’s spot in the rotation at this point, but they will be forced to find someone if he keeps pitching like this.